PERIPHERAL FACIAL PARALYSIS (PFP) AND HIV-INFECTION IN TOGO

Objectives - The purpose of this study was to determine the seropreval ence of HIV in a group of 150 patients with PFP and to study the semio logical and evolutive aspect of PFP in patients with or without HIV. M aterial and methods - This semilongitudinal study was conducted during 6 years (1990-1995) at the Lome teaching hospital. Patients consultin g for PFP had the HIV test and regular controls. Results - The HIV ser oprevalence was 52%. The average age was 31.4+/-8.81 years. There was no difference on clinical features between patients with or without HI V infection. Cerebrospinal fluid was normal in patients without HIV in fection, but it showed pleiocytosis in patients with HIV infection (87 .88%). Of the HIV carriers 14% presented a recurrence. A total of 26.3 2% of the patients screened in 1990 developed AIDS when followed up. C onclusion - Peripheral facial paralysis is frequently associated to HI V infection. An HIV test must be proposed to all patients with PFP in Africa.